Differences in winter temperatures cause winds to rip down from the east in the Gorge.

Well, it is a little breezy here in the Gorge this week. Trees are falling over, limbs are ripping through the air, litter is playing tag, rangers are trapped in their vehicles at Vista House, visitors are finding (and losing) their center of gravity, and newscasters are having a heyday.

High winds kick up waves, and the spray can make rainbows. Is there a pot of gold in the Columbia?

It’s that time of year. Bitterly cold, dense air from the deserts in the east is ripping down the Gorge towards the warmer ocean and replacing the warmer, less dense air in Portland. The narrow passage between two different climates makes the Gorge the perfect place for this kind of gap wind. Wind can be fun (I simply love it), but extreme wind is reason for extreme caution.

Secure Your Stuff

There are two fates for the loose objects outside during high winds. They either a) become lost or ruined or b) become projectiles injuring people, pets, or property. Neither one of these is good.

Rangers are dedicating hours to cleaning up after this week’s high winds. Tree at Rooster Rock.

Watch Your Face

You know that fancy backpack you’re wearing for your Gorge hikes? The one with hip belt and chest strap? It is out to get you. Big gusts turn loose straps into whips and these lashes are killer on the eye. Make sure they’re securely tucked or tied off.

Choose Your Vehicle (and Your Route)

High profile vehicles get blown around in the wind; a big gust can push you sideways, or, if your vehicle is really tall, tip you over. Driving I-84 in high wind is stressful. If possible, choose the slower, more scenic Historic Columbia River Highway. And watch out for debris. It is more than Parks and ODOT can keep up with.

What’s RIGHT with this picture?

Park Thoughtfully

Nearly every park vehicle in the Gorge has a funky door feature—this comes from high winds ripping the door out of a driver or passenger’s hands and flying forward. Park with the front of your car pointing INTO the wind. And if you need to use your feet to force your way out of your car, you should probably just stay inside. Even if you get out, you’re asking for a tumble. It’s not cute. And it will be recorded.

Well, it is a new year. 2014 has arrived. And it is time (nearly past time) for the year’s resolutions. Typically, resolve means to “settle or find a solution to (a problem or contentious matter).” If you’re like me, your resolutions tend to be the same . . . and tend not to work. So, a few years back, I went for the other definition of resolve, to “decide firmly on a course of action.” I switched from problem-solving to goal-setting. And this year, it is all about the Columbia River Gorge.

Want to join me? Below is the result of my brainstorm. Choose 10! Or 20. Or 30. Feeling like a “Big Year”? Go for all 50. It’s time to choose your own 2014 adventure.

50 Things to Do In the Columbia River Gorge in 2014

Hike 100 miles of different trails in the CRG.

Visit all State Parks in the CRG.

Visit 25 waterfalls in the CRG (there are over 90), at least one of each type (plunge, horsetail, fan, cascade, punchbowl, block, tier, and segmented).

Have you been to this waterfall? Or talked to this ranger? #3 and #39.

Visit one Washington and one Oregon museum in the Gorge.

Tour the Lewis and Clark sites along the CRG.

Did you know? Rooster Rock is a Lewis & Clark site. #5. Check.

Visit a fish hatchery.

Conduct your own naturalist study—visit and document changes at onespot 20 times throughout the year.